At right, Robert D'Amore, senior vice president of People's United Bank, and Daniel C. Esty, commisioner of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, attend the celebration at Sherwood Island State Park in Westport.

At right, Robert D'Amore, senior vice president of People's United Bank, and Daniel C. Esty, commisioner of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, attend the celebration at Sherwood Island State

WESTPORT -- It started 100 years ago with a modest five-acre parcel on the coast of Westport. Today, the Connecticut State Parks and Forests system includes 107 parks, 32 forests and 121 public boat launches that see more than eight million visitors each year.

To kick off the system's centennial celebration, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection Commissioner Daniel C. Esty and other politicians gathered at Sherwood Island State Park on Monday afternoon for a press conference and lunch provided by Friends of Sherwood Island State Park. The theme of the year-long celebration is "Explore, Discover, Celebrate."

Sherwood Island is the oldest state park and has grown from its initial five acres to 240 acres that includes a beach, woodlands, marshlands, nature center and 9-11 Memorial.

The event also marked the unveiling of the system's centennial banner that will hang at state parks this year. A donation by People's United Bank covered the cost of the banners.

"This is a year-long celebration at a time when protecting and stewarding property for the public good take on particular significance," Esty said.

Malloy shared memories of going to Sherwood Island in his youth with his extended family on Fourth of July weekends.

"One of the uncles had to get in line early -- while it was still dark -- and we'd make a mad dash to get a table, preferably under a tree and near the beach," Malloy said. "I'm so glad the people of Connecticut came together to build this system."

To draw attention to the state parks system this year, state legislators have "adopted" a local state park and will act as ambassadors for the property. State Sen. Toni Boucher, R-26, and state Reps. Gail Lavielle, R-143, Jonathan Steinberg, D- 136, and Tony Hwang, R-134, have all adopted Sherwood Island and were present at Monday's event.

"Sherwood Island has everything," Lavielle said. "It's a place of honor."

Westport First Selectman Gordon Joseloff called the park a "jewel for Westport and the state," noting that it can hold up to 20,000 people.

Robert D'Amore, senior vice president for People's United Bank, said he was "excited to give back to the state -- a state that has given us so much."

He added: "Talk to your friends and neighbors and make sure they come out to see our parks."

Monday's event included several members of the Friends of Sherwood Island State Park, a nonprofit organization formed in 1995 to protect and draw attention to the park. Louis Pietig, one of the original board members, said the group has several activities planned for 2013 to mark the centennial. The nature center it helped build in 2009 will open Saturday, April 20.